Stay tuned for more details!<\/p>\n
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy<\/strong><\/h2>\nLast week, I introduced a Senate Resolution to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\u00a0 I gave some remarks about his legacy, and you can hear them by watching this video:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sdc.wastateleg.org\/saldana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/02\/2020-01-20-Screenshot-MLK-video-Salda\u00f1a.PNG-1024x548.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI feel especially connected to Dr. King’s legacy of advocating for the rights of workers, and I often look to his words at the Sanitation Worker Strike in Memphis the day before he was assassinated:<\/p>\n
\u201cSo often we overlook the work and the significance of those who are not in professional jobs, of those who are not in the so-called big jobs. But let me say to you tonight that whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity and it has worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is perhaps no better way to honor his legacy than by continuing the work of Dr. King and other labor leaders. We must continue working to ensure that every worker in Washington is treated with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n
To that end, here\u2019s a quick look at some of the legislation I\u2019ve sponsored this session to protect workers\u2019 rights:<\/p>\n
\n- SB 6247<\/a> would expand protections for domestic workers, who have few rights and little recourse in the face of employer abuse, such as wage theft or sexual harassment. The solitary nature of their work makes domestic workers especially vulnerable. This bill would take a significant step forward to ensure those who care for our families and help maintain our homes the same rights as workers in other fields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/dev2.sdc.wastateleg.org\/alpha\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/02\/Housekeeper-photo-woman-cleaning-kitchen-credit-blogspot-dot-com-1.jpg\")
Source: blogspot.com<\/p><\/div>\n
\n- SB 5717<\/a> would provide secure scheduling for employees of big retail and food service establishments. Did you know that currently 68% of Washington’s retail and food service employees must keep their schedules open, without compensation, to pick up last-minute shifts? Many of their employers also spread out hours among part-time employees; 60% of part-time retail and food service employees are underemployed and want to work more hours.\u00a0 Workers struggle to make ends meet to support their families because keeping their schedule open means they can\u2019t get a second job or additional job training. Secure scheduling would provide workers with 14 days\u2019 notice of work schedules, longer rest breaks after closing shifts, preference over new employees for additional work hours, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/dev2.sdc.wastateleg.org\/alpha\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/02\/Canva-Woman-Playing-with-Child-mother-mom-stroller-car-seat-RESIZED-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n- SB 5473<\/a> would update the definition of “good cause” in unemployment insurance to cover working parents who lose work because of a lack of childcare or the responsibility to care for a vulnerable adult. Access to unemployment benefits would provide relief to working families trying to make ends meet while searching for employment that is compatible with their families’ needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Stay tuned for more e-news updates as the session quickly progresses.\u00a0 My office will continue to welcome your thoughts and concerns throughout the session, so please let us know what issues are important to you and your community!<\/p>\n
Get More <\/strong><\/h2>\nFollow me on Facebook<\/a> to get the latest updates on what\u2019s happening in Olympia.<\/p>\nCheck it out now!<\/a><\/p>\nKeep in Touch<\/strong><\/h2>\nWas this newsletter helpful? Did we miss anything? Your participation helps improve our communities!<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nI feel especially connected to Dr. King’s legacy of advocating for the rights of workers, and I often look to his words at the Sanitation Worker Strike in Memphis the day before he was assassinated:<\/p>\n
\u201cSo often we overlook the work and the significance of those who are not in professional jobs, of those who are not in the so-called big jobs. But let me say to you tonight that whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity and it has worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is perhaps no better way to honor his legacy than by continuing the work of Dr. King and other labor leaders. We must continue working to ensure that every worker in Washington is treated with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n
To that end, here\u2019s a quick look at some of the legislation I\u2019ve sponsored this session to protect workers\u2019 rights:<\/p>\n
- \n
- SB 6247<\/a> would expand protections for domestic workers, who have few rights and little recourse in the face of employer abuse, such as wage theft or sexual harassment. The solitary nature of their work makes domestic workers especially vulnerable. This bill would take a significant step forward to ensure those who care for our families and help maintain our homes the same rights as workers in other fields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source: blogspot.com<\/p><\/div>\n
- \n
- SB 5717<\/a> would provide secure scheduling for employees of big retail and food service establishments. Did you know that currently 68% of Washington’s retail and food service employees must keep their schedules open, without compensation, to pick up last-minute shifts? Many of their employers also spread out hours among part-time employees; 60% of part-time retail and food service employees are underemployed and want to work more hours.\u00a0 Workers struggle to make ends meet to support their families because keeping their schedule open means they can\u2019t get a second job or additional job training. Secure scheduling would provide workers with 14 days\u2019 notice of work schedules, longer rest breaks after closing shifts, preference over new employees for additional work hours, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>\n
- \n
- SB 5473<\/a> would update the definition of “good cause” in unemployment insurance to cover working parents who lose work because of a lack of childcare or the responsibility to care for a vulnerable adult. Access to unemployment benefits would provide relief to working families trying to make ends meet while searching for employment that is compatible with their families’ needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Stay tuned for more e-news updates as the session quickly progresses.\u00a0 My office will continue to welcome your thoughts and concerns throughout the session, so please let us know what issues are important to you and your community!<\/p>\n
Get More <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Follow me on Facebook<\/a> to get the latest updates on what\u2019s happening in Olympia.<\/p>\n
Check it out now!<\/a><\/p>\n
Keep in Touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Was this newsletter helpful? Did we miss anything? Your participation helps improve our communities!<\/p>\n
- SB 5473<\/a> would update the definition of “good cause” in unemployment insurance to cover working parents who lose work because of a lack of childcare or the responsibility to care for a vulnerable adult. Access to unemployment benefits would provide relief to working families trying to make ends meet while searching for employment that is compatible with their families’ needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- SB 5717<\/a> would provide secure scheduling for employees of big retail and food service establishments. Did you know that currently 68% of Washington’s retail and food service employees must keep their schedules open, without compensation, to pick up last-minute shifts? Many of their employers also spread out hours among part-time employees; 60% of part-time retail and food service employees are underemployed and want to work more hours.\u00a0 Workers struggle to make ends meet to support their families because keeping their schedule open means they can\u2019t get a second job or additional job training. Secure scheduling would provide workers with 14 days\u2019 notice of work schedules, longer rest breaks after closing shifts, preference over new employees for additional work hours, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n